I can give you a few which I have and think well of...
Gina Bachauer / Stanislaw Skrowaczewski / London Symphony
Daniel Barenboim / Sir John Barbirolli / New Philharmonia
András Schiff (piano & conductor) / Orchestra Age of Enlightenment
Nelson Freire / Riccardo Chailly / Leipzig Gewandhaus

If I had to pick one of them, it would probably be Bachauer ... but it's a close run thing!

...and one I remember having on vinyl which I really liked
Claudio Arrau / Carlo Maria Giulini / ??

 

That's my list!

 

Here are four of my favorites:

András Schiff/Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (ECM)
Hélène Grimaud/Nelsons/Wiener Philharmoniker (DG)
Emil Gilels/Jochum/Berliner Philharmoniker (DG)
Leon Fleischer/Szell/Cleveland Orchestra (Sony)

 

Emil Gilels/Jochum/Berliner Philharmoniker (DG)
Leon Fleischer/Szell/Cleveland Orchestra (Sony)

It gets no better than either of these. Neither has modern sonics, but they're perfectly fine and the understanding of the music is beyond reproach. Needless to say the piano playing is A+++. A third version I like quite a bit: Rudolf Serkin and Ormandy on Sony.

 

Another solid vote for Emil Gilels, 1958 RCA version, with Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

 

I prefer Szell with Serkin over Fleisher.

 

Rudolf Serkin/George Szell/Cleveland Orchestra
Andre Watts/Leonard Bernstein/New York Philharmonic Orchestra

 

It's a bit slow (in 1 and 3) but stunningly played and in quite good sound (from live recordings), it was also the first CD of the piece I owned, so it will always be special to me:
Zimerman/Bernstein/Vienna Phil

 

I actually quite like this one as well. I know it’s somewhat fashionable to be skeptical of late-era Bernstein, but I often enjoy his interpretations. And as you said, this one is stunningly played by both the orchestra and the soloist.

 

Not sure if you want Youtube recommendations , but I like this one...

 

I have tried to get into it several times, but it comes off as sort of all over the place. Brahms is my favorite composer and the first PC is one of my "desert island discs," but the second PC just doesn't cut it for me.

I had to listen to it a million times (felt like that anyway lol) before I loved it. Just thought that my help to mention.

 

Hard for me to believe a Brahms fan would have trouble getting into the 2nd Cto. Its alwasy been my favorite cto from any composer. I guess folks are different LOL!

 

Rudolf Serkin
George Szell and Cleveland Orchestra

 

A more relaxed approach works well for the 2nd concerto.
Admittedly, I have not heard #1 with Zimerman/Bernstein (and Gould/Bernstein is bizarre and in bad sound) but I also like the violin concerto with Kremer (that actually has one of the fastest and most energetic finales). The double is (too) slow but that's a very common feature with this piece, no particular fault of late Bernstein here, I think...

 

Richter/Leinsdorf
Gilels/Reiner
Angelich/Järvi

 

I am looking for good recommendations on Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2.

I have tried to get into it several times, but it comes off as sort of all over the place...

Please listen to the András Schiff/Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment on ECM right now. For me, it was a revelation. It's so different than all of the other performances in my collection. In fact, it was Schiff's performances of both PCs that completely won me over and turned my ears to other performances with greater success than in the past. These Schiff performances enabled me to hear what was happening in the music and let me tell you, the emotional gravitas of these works were exposed big time.

So stop what you're doing and listen to Schiff on ECM!

 

I learned this piece through Serkin's old mono version with Ormandy. Still takes some beating.
There is the incredible Richter / Leinsdorf (not his later one with Maazel)
Gilels / Reiner (not Jochum)
Freiere / Chailly
Fleischer / Szell

 

Schiff is mentioned multiple times in this thread and I agree that it should be your first stop if you are struggling with the Brahms PCs. I have never had any problems with Brahms PCs and I absolutely loathe Schiff`s Brahms.

 

I agree with a lot of the suggestions, although I infinitely prefer Jochum's warmer more expansive approach to Reiner's superficially more exciting conducting for Gilels.

Gilels/Jochum
Freire/Chailly
Anda/von Karajan (maybe a little intellectual, but wonderful pianism)

Another version I enjoy that might appeal is the late Lars Vogt leading the Northern Sinfonia. Having a smaller orchestra gives clarity to the textures. Having the soloist lead the orchestra gives the performance a unique unity of concept. These qualities might address your sense of the concerto being all over the place. The recording also includes a fun performance of the Handel Variations.

But please persevere in listening to this concerto because it is truly one of the greats and will repay your efforts.

 

The Ashkenazy/CGO/Haitink set is a good middle-of-the-road choice, I guess.

Questionable fillers though. Who needs another Haydn Variations - or Rubbra's rubbish orchestration of the Händel Variations?

 

I have no 2 with Ashkenazy and it is beautifully played.

 

The original CD issues had no fillers at all but I think I have only #1.

 

I have both of the originals on London. Very good

 

Some of the earliest recordings represent different tempi and phrasings than mostly seen nowadays and in the already mentioned versions - Rubinstein/Coates, some of the Horowitz/Toscanini versions, etc. - but obviously with poor sound.

But Manz/Mandeal is a modern version taking up those faster tempi and a generally lighter mood a bit; it is interesting because of that.

 

Here's an overview of the best recordings I've heard over the decades, broken down into four different categories:

I. Starting with recordings from the late 1950s & 1960s,

If you're interested in the top recordings from the early stereo years, it becomes a search to find the best remaster of the one or two (or more) legendary recordings below that you respond most favorably to. I'll place an asterisk by my personal top five favorites, but bear in mind, you may feel differently:

--*Emil Gilels, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner, 1958, RCA - the initial CD remaster in the 1980s was poor, as the orchestral sound was too thin & didn't have enough heft; not surprisingly, the sound remaster received negative reviews: this release:

After that, the remasters improved, as with the JVC Xrcd Japan remaster, which may be the version of choice, if you can find it at an affordable price:

However, I think the following "Living Stereo" remaster sounds excellent and is more natural sounding and a little warmer than the JVC issue:

https://rec.music.classical.recordings.narkive.com/ackxZnfM/gilels-reiner-brahms-2-old-topic-new-transfer-on-jvc-xrcd

--*My top pick from the 1960s: Sviatoslav Richter, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, RCA, 1960: this is one of the 'must have' classic versions of the Brahms 2nd:

Again, I'm not sure which is the best remaster, although the recording has been released on a DSD remaster and I believe on hybrid SACD in Japan too, if I'm not mistaken.

There's also a 1961 recording by Richter, with the Leningrad Philharmonic, conducted by Yvgeny Mravinsky, but it has worse sound. You can hear the performance on YouTube, if interested.

--*Another one of my top picks: Claudio Arrau, Philharmonia Orchestra, Carla Maria Giulini, 1962, EMI: Arrau and Giulini are very much on the same page, interpretatively. Both are deeply committed and serious Brahmsians, and together they find a wide emotional range in this music:

--*Arthur Rubinstein, RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra, Josef Krips, 1958: Rubinstein had a special affinity for Brahms (& Schumann), yet people only seem to ever recommend his, IMO, somewhat overrated Chopin:

--Van Cliburn, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner, RCA, 1961:
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83 - Van Cliburn, Fritz Reiner, Chicago Symphony

(There's also a live Cliburn recording made in concert at the Royal Albert Hall with 1963: with the London Symphony Orchestra and in my opinion, one of the greatest Brahms conductors, & especially when heard live in concert, Pierre Monteux: it's on YouTube.)

--Wilhelm Backhaus, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Karl Böhm, Decca legends, 1967 - this is one of Backhaus's last recordings. It's a fine performance, but the elderly Backhaus's playing sounds a tad more effortful than on his earlier 1952 recording with conductor Carl Schuricht & the VPO--which I prefer, despite its lesser sound quality (see the historical category below for a YT link, if interested):

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: 1. Allegro non troppo

--Clifford Curzon, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Hans Knappertsbusch, Decca, 1958 - a terrific performance, but unfortunately the sound is on the thin side:

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83 - I. Allegro non troppo

--*Géza Anda, Berliner Philharmoniker, Ferenc Fricsay, 1961, DG: if nothing else, I prefer this recording to Rudolf Serkin's recording in Cleveland with George Szell on account of Fricsay's superior Brahms conducting. To my ears, Szell sounds stiff in Brahms, especially in comparison to Fricsay; indeed the Anda/Fricsay performance has all the autumnal warmth that Serkin/Szell seem to lack in places. Don't misunderstand, I am a big fan of Serkin's Brahms playing, but not so much Szell's conducting.

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro non troppo

--Rudolf Serkin, The Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell, Columbia/Sony, 1967: With Serkin, it becomes a choice between the Brahms conducting of Szell or Ormandy (see below), as well as the 1956 or 1967 sound quality:

Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro non troppo

--Rudolf Serkin, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Columbia, 1956:
Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro non troppo

--Sviatoslav Richter, Orchestra de Paris, Lorin Maazel, 1969 - Richter is one of the two or three greatest Brahms pianists I've heard in my life, but it's too bad that he never teamed up with Eugen Jochum or Rudolf Kempe in this concerto because Maazel isn't an especially strong Brahms conductor, IMO. But he's not bad, either:

Vinyl: Brahms - Piano Concerto No. 2 (Richter/Maazel/OP)

--Julius Katchen, London Symphony Orchestra, János Ferencsik, Decca, 1960: I've long liked Katchen in Brahms, and this fine recording shouldn't be forgotten about:

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro non troppo

As far as I know, Augustin Anievas, who is another favorite Brahms pianist of mine, has never recorded the Piano Concerto No. 2. Nor did Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, whose 4 Ballades are among the finest Brahms playing I've ever heard:

Brahms, Ballade Op 10, Michelangeli
ANIEVAS plays BRAHMS Haendel Variations Op.24 COMPLETE (1965)

I've not heard the recordings by pianists Leon Fleisher and Gina Bachauer...

II. Recordings from the 1970s,

The following recordings should be considered as well, and again I'll place an asterisk by my top 3 favorites from this decade:

--*My top pick from the 1970s: Emil Gilels, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Eugen Jochum, DG, 1972 - for me, this recording offers the best combination of a great Brahms pianist with a great Brahms conductor. However, the DG sound quality on LP and on the first CD release was problematic, indeed the early Penguin Guide critics complained about it. So, if interested, finding a remaster that works for you may be tricky, & I'm not sure which release to recommend. However, the top choice may be the Emil Berliner Studios remaster made in August 2016 from 192/24 files, or it could be the pricey hybrid SACD DSD remaster made by Tower Records Universal Vintage from Japan. I'd probably go with the Tower Records Japan issue myself, if it could be found at an affordable price, but I've not heard it.

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op.83 - Emil Gilels, Eugen Jochum, Berlin Philharmonic

--*Claudio Arrau, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Bernard Haitink, Philips, 1970:

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat, Op. 83: 1. Allegro non troppo

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupBrahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat, Op. 83: 1. Allegro non troppo · Claudio Arrau · Royal Concertgebouw Orche...

www.youtube.com

--Arthur Rubinstein, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, RCA, 1971:

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83 - Arthur Rubinstein

Johannes Brahms {1833 - 1897)00:00 1. I. Allegro non troppo17:32 2. II. Allegro appassionato27:01 3. III. Andante38:56 4. IV. Allegretto grazioso—Un p...

www.youtube.com

--*My favorite 'sleeper' recording: Bruno-Leonardo Gelber, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Rudolf Kempe, 1973: despite the many famous pianists that have recorded this concerto, this performance is well worth hearing, since the pianism is very fine & Kempe was a great Brahms conductor. The conducting alone makes this recording worth hearing, but Gelber is a superb Brahms pianist too:

Bruno Leonardo-Gelber plays Brahm's Second Piano Concerto w/ Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. 1975

Bruno Leonardo-Gelber (b.1941) is an Argentinian pianist. He brings a bold style to this Brahm's masterpiece. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra also provid...

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

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--My 2nd favorite 'sleeper' recording - this one works for me because Dichter & Masur take a more classical, less 'late' romantic view of the concerto. Judging by Brahms' comments to a young Pierre Monteux about how the German conductors of the day were "too heavy" (& slow) in his music, I think Brahms might have liked a 'lighter', more transparent approach. The listener hears the architecture of the music more clearly this way. I enjoy this performance, but I don't expect it will be for everyone (especially those that see this concerto has a full blown late romantic work):

--Mischa Dichter, Gewandhaus Orchestra, Leipzig, Kurt Masur, Philips, 1978:

Brahms, Piano Concerto No 2, 1,2mov, Misha Dichter,piano

www.youtube.com

III. My top five digital recordings:

--*My top digital era pick: Nelson Freire, Gewandhaus Orchestra, Leipzig, Riccardo Chailly, Decca, 2006:

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat, Op. 83: 1. Allegro non troppo

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupBrahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat, Op. 83: 1. Allegro non troppo · Nelson Freire · Gewandhausorchester · Ric...

www.youtube.com

--Ivan Moravec, Czech Philharmonic, Jiří Bělohlávek, Supraphon/Denon, 1990 - this one could probably use a new remastering, since the Denon disc derives from the early days of the CD technology. There was a Supraphon reissue in Japan in 2005, but I've not heard it & don't know if it was newly remastered. However, my problem could also partly be that the conducting is too subdued or not characterful enough. I'm not sure. In any event, Moravec plays wonderfully. He was another great Brahms pianist:

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83 - Allegro non troppo

Provided to YouTube by SupraphonConcerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83 - Allegro non troppo · Johannes Brahms · Česká filharmonie/Jiř...

www.youtube.com

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83 - Allegro non troppo

Provided to YouTube by SupraphonConcerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83 - Allegro non troppo · Johannes Brahms · Česká filharmonie/Jiř...

www.youtube.com

--Hélène Grimaud, Wiener Philharmoniker, Andris Nelsons, DG, 2013:

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro non troppo (Live At...

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupBrahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro non troppo (Live At Musikverein, Vienna / 2012) ...

www.youtube.com

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/Nov13/Brahms_PCs_4791058.htm

--Krystian Zimmerman, Vienna Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein, DG, 1985:

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro non troppo

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupBrahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro non troppo · Krystian Zimerman · Wiener Philharm...

www.youtube.com

--Elizabeth Leonskaja, Gewandhaus Orchestra, Leipzig, Kurt Masur, Teldec, 1994:

Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro non troppo

Provided to YouTube by Warner ClassicsPiano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro non troppo · Kurt Masur · Elisabeth LeonskajaBrahms: Piano Con...

www.youtube.com

--& one extra that is worth mentioning: another sleeper recording: Vincenzo Maltempo, Mitteleuropa Orchestra, Marco Guidarini, live:

- YouTube

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Reviews for Maltempo:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2018/Oct/Brahms_PCs_PCL10145.htm

Andrew Clements writing for The Guardian, describes this album as "Exhilarating, demonic, a real revelation."

As far as I know, the following notable Brahms pianists--each highly regarded for their solo Brahms--haven't recorded the Piano Concerto No. 2: Ivo Pogorelich, Andrea Bonatta, Dmitri Aleexev, Valery Afanassiev, & Ivo Janssen.

I've not heard the Piano Concerto No. 2 recordings by pianists Stephen Bishop Kovecevich, Nicholas Angelich, Emmanuel Ax, and Stephen Hough...

IV. My top historical picks:

--*Claudio Arrau, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch, live, 1953, mono:

Claudio Arrau - Brahms Piano Concerto n° 2 - Boston, 1953

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)Program:Piano Concerto n° 2 Op. 83I Allegro non troppoII Allegro appassionatoIII AndanteIV Allegretto graziosoLive performance. Bo...

www.youtube.com

--*Wilhelm Backhaus, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Carl Schuricht, 1952, mono:

- YouTube

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--*Adrian Aeschbacher, Berliner Philharmoniker, Paul van Kempen, DG, 1952, mono:

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: 1. Allegro non troppo

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupBrahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: 1. Allegro non troppo · Adrian Aeschbacher · Berliner Philharmoni...

www.youtube.com

--Arthur Rubinstein, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch, 1952, mono:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

--Dmitri Bashkirov, Orchestre de la Société des concerts du Conservatoire, Georges Tzipine: a live recording from the prize winners concert of the Marguerite Long Piano Competition in 1955: Granted, this isn't a flawless performance, which is why it isn't a top pick; however, Bashkirov is one of the two or three greatest Brahms pianists I've heard in my life--for example: Dmitri Bashkirov plays Brams Intermezzo Es Moll # 6, Op. 118

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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--Yakov Zak, Leningrad Philarmonic Orchestra, Kurt Sanderling, 1949, mono:

Yakov Zak plays Brahms Concerto No. 2 in B flat Op. 83

1. Allegro non troppo (00:00)2. allegro appassionato (17:23)3. Andante (26:08)4. Allegretto grazioso (38:00)Leningrad Philarmonic OrchestraKurt Sanderlingrec...

www.youtube.com

--Edwin Fischer, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler, 1942: some listeners rate Furtwängler's 'war time' recordings very highly, but I have trouble getting past the poor sound quality, even though I'm an admirer of Fischer's playing:

- YouTube

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www.youtube.com

Hope that helps.

 

Yesterday I listened to the Michael Korstick (w/ Constantin Trinks and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin) on Hänssler of the 2nd PC and was blown away by it. This performance could end up taking the place of Fleischer or Gilels (but not Schiff!).

The OP would do well to check out this set:

 

I have my reservations for the 1st but the 2nd is absolutely great! One of the best Teutonic interpretations I`ve heard in recent years. I`m not sure if I`d recommend it to the OP or to a newcomer but seasoned Brahms fans should hear this.

 

No one mentioned Emanual Ax/Bernard Haitink, Boston Symphony--up there as one of the best sonically. I was impressed by everything about it, the performance was very good.

 

One thing In have found - and this is my preference - is that I prefer Brahms performances that get on with it rather than those which linger overmuch. Interesting that Backhaus, who knew Brahms, was no slowcoach in his Brahms playing. Fiery tempi in the concerti is my preference. I'll certainly be revisiting the recordings I have - listened to Richter / Leinsdorf again last night - unbelievable playing from one of the greatest pianists ever at his absolute peak in 1960.

 

Personally I think it's pretty likely that 'authentic' Brahms would be quicker and more forward-going (though with marked ebb-and-flow-effects), than what is often played today and in the majority of post-1960 recordings. Horowitz/Walter in the 1st Concerto is the example par excellence (1936, unfortunately with a section missing in the 1st movement).

Now, Backhaus' early 2nd Concerto with Böhm/Dresden (1939) has a total duration of 45:12, and in every later recording, he added a little time (Schuricht, Karajan), the Böhm/Vienna (1967) then being 48:13.

Like I mentioned above, there are early, fast renditions: Rubinstein/Coates (1929) is 40 minutes, and Horowitz/Toscanini vary, but can be around 43 minutes, plus Manz/Mandeal on Arte Nova (1997?) use 43:21 minutes.

Most modern recordings use 47-53 minutes for the work.

 

@Josquin13 wrote

--*My top pick from the 1970s: Emil Gilels, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Eugen Jochum, DG, 1972 - for me, this recording offers the best combination of a great Brahms pianist with a great Brahms conductor. However, the DG sound quality on LP and on the first CD release was problematic, indeed the early Penguin Guide critics complained about it. So, if interested, finding a remaster that works for you may be tricky, & I'm not sure which release to recommend. However, the top choice may be the Emil Berliner Studios remaster made in August 2016 from 192/24 files, or it could be the pricey hybrid SACD DSD remaster made by Tower Records Universal Vintage from Japan. I'd probably go with the Tower Records Japan issue myself, if it could be found at an affordable price, but I've not heard it.

As I noted above, I am virtually certain that the Tower mastering was used for the DSD download of the Gilels/Jochum pairing on both concertos (with some late Brahms pieces and the four Ballades as a bonus) at ProStudioMasters and now Qobuz. Whatever the case, I have compared that mastering to the standard CD and the DSD wins, although it’s still not an audiophile classic. And it’s not pricey - $20 at ProStudioMasters, even less for those with a Qobuz Sublime membership.

I note that ProStudioMasters has both versions as downloads, but the 192/24 files do not include the Ballades. I believe that is unique to the Tower packaging.

 

jegreenwood,

Thanks. I wasn't sure which remaster was used by Tower Records Japan, being that it's a hybrid SACD.

Gilels Four Ballades are remarkably fine, but I don't think they're as essential to have because Michelangeli is even better in the Ballades. Although that is another instance where finding the best remaster can be tricky, since DG's Original Image-bit-processing remaster took away the beauty of Michelangeli's shimmering piano tone, and reduced it to a pinched, hard, thin sound. For those of us that owned the original recording on LP, it quickly became apparent that DG had reduced (and poorly remastered) one of the great Brahms recordings in the catalogue with their 'bit-processed' CD.